Citation

Jahnke SA, Haddock CK, Carlos Poston WS, Jitnarin N. Mil. Med. 2014; 179(11): 1331-1338.

Affiliation

Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, National Development and Research Institutes, 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, Leawood, KS 66224.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00118

PMID

25373063

Abstract

Military and Veterans Service Organizations (MVSOs) have a unique opportunity to influence legislation and advocate for the interests of their members. However, little is known about what legislative priorities MVSOs see as important. Understanding the legislative priorities of MVSOs can inform efforts by health scientists to promote policy and laws designed to improve the health of our nation's veterans. Using a mixed methods approach, we conducted a thematic analysis of legislative priorities MVSOs promote with their legislative agendas. Most commonly, MVSOs addressed issues related to disability evaluations and ratings with the Veterans Administration and access to Veterans Administration services. Other common themes identified as priorities include benefits such as retirement, education, housing assistance for veterans, and TRICARE benefits.

FINDINGS highlight the broad range of topics MVSOs identify as legislative priorities as well as some health issues that receive relatively limited attention.

Language: en